Fire In Vacant Building Ruled Arson Police

November 02, 1985|The Morning Call

Bethlehem fire officials have ruled arson as the cause of a fire Thursday night that heavily damaged a portion of a vacant building at 623-625 Linden St., Bethlehem.

Firefighters reported that when they arrived about 9:15 p.m., flames and smoke were coming out of the second floor. They stated a second alarm was sounded at 9:26 p.m. for additional men as the flames began to spread to the third floor.

The firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 30 minutes. The fire was confined to a frame portion of the structure, which is scheduled to be razed. No estimate of damage was given because that section of the structure is to be torn down.

Carl Kehler of Durham, the building owner, told fire officials that he was working in the building until about 5:30 p.m. and locked up when he left. The building formerly housed the Muriel-Pembroke Dress Co.

According to reports, Kehler, owner of Cable Communications Media, Bethlehem, intends to renovate the larger portion of the building for office use.